Must have Metal CD: Borknagar "Epic"

Redstar11 · 10-07-2004, 02:29 AM

I picked this cd up a few days ago, and it's nothing short of amazing. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Borknagar, or Metal in general, the time to get informed is now. This is probably their best release to date. Vintersorg seems to be much more in place than their last outing "Empiricism" which Vintersorg took over vocal duty for ICS Vortex. His vocal range seems to be more attuned with the lyrics and his range seems to fit the music better. Also, his death vocals have never been better. They are deep and meanacing. Combine all that with a much more fluid songwriting structure compared with previous releases and song writing so deep and meaningful they have to be studied, and you have a Metal cd which sounds like nothing else out there. This is not only a milestone for the Metal genre, this is music thats important. If you are even remotely a fan of Metal music, you must have this cd.

Choice tracks:

Circled
Traveller
The Wonder
Sealed Chambers of Electricity

UberGoober · 10-07-2004, 03:53 AM

They're not real metal. If they were they'd use umlats in their name.

ray860 · 10-07-2004, 08:14 AM

Never heard of them. I'm more of a hardcore fan but I like metal if it's fast and heavy (i.e. slayer). Does this band use super fast beats with lots of double bass and such? Are the vocals more like angry shouting rather than whiney reverbed-to-the-hilt singing? If so, I might like it. Any samples out there that could be downloaded to get a taste of what they are like?

Redstar11 · 10-07-2004, 09:36 AM

Slayer is more thrash, a style im not really fond of. Borknagar is really hard to classify. If anything i'd say more along the lines of Black. If you send me an IM on aol: Kaddyshack -- i'd be more than happy to send you some songs. As far as the vocals, they are a mix between growled grim vocals and clean. The music structure is extremely layered. Lots of non-traditional instruments layered on metal guitar riffing and really fast double kick bass drumming and blast beating. If you ask me, any music with whiney reverbed to the hilt vocals is NOT metal.

Napalm · 10-07-2004, 08:26 PM

Borknagar is great, the best was the stuff with Vortex. For you guys new to this group try Dimmu-Borgir and Old Man's Child they are part of the new school (as in post 1996) black metal scene and share members.

Redstar11 · 10-08-2004, 12:57 AM

I like Old Mans Child, "In defiance of existence" is an awesome album. however, I have never been much of a fan of Dimmu. If metal were boybands, Dimmu would be Justin Timerlake for sure.

Mucho Gonzales · 10-08-2004, 03:52 PM

Thought i'd add this, especially since Ray860 said he was looking for something like Slayer. I'll have to check out Old Man's Child and Borknagar because i've never heard of either of them. I, personally, am more of a Doom, stoner rock type fan--everyone has different taste.

if you are into Slayer and the like, and have never heard of Mastodon you might like it.

<-----

i believe they are on tour (or were) with Slayer right now.

pick up 'Workhorse', or 'March of the Fire Ants' off of Remission (those are the only songs i've heard off of remission, but i've heard the entire CD is good). 'Iron Tusk', 'Blood and Thunder', 'I am Ahab', 'Seabeast' or 'Naked Burn' off of Leviathan--my personal favorites.

ZeuSeason · 10-08-2004, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redstar11

I like Old Mans Child, "In defiance of existence" is an awesome album. however, I have never been much of a fan of Dimmu. If metal were boybands, Dimmu would be Justin Timerlake for sure.

I'd have to agree on the Dimmu thing. I've heard only one of his many songs that sounded OK. I'm always looking for some good new music. Anyway you can send me a 'taster' song so I can hear their sound?

Redstar11 · 10-08-2004, 04:31 PM

Zue, IM me on aol at kaddyshack11 .. i'll send you some songs.

Mucho, if you like Mastodon alot, check out a band called Rwake. They are excellent. They definately have a stoner metal feel toward them. Send me an IM and i'll shoot some songs your way.

King Cobra · 10-08-2004, 06:53 PM

Don't waste time on Dimmu. Commercialized garbage.

Napalm · 10-08-2004, 10:27 PM

Haven't heard Dimmu's newest album, but I've had Stormblast and Enthrone Darkness since they were released and they are as awesome now as ever. Cradle of Filth experienced the exact same popularity and "true" people stopped listening to them because of it.... that's pretty lame..

Redstar11 · 10-09-2004, 12:16 AM

I didnt like Cradle of Filth even before they started selling their t-shirts in hot topic. Im just not a fan of black metal, or any metal having screechingly high pitched vocals. Even some of the greatest metal bands of all time, ( Emperor, Immortal ) get under my skin sometimes.

twisted_medic · 10-09-2004, 09:26 PM

Fear Factory Rulz.......